Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015

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PART 3

Roles of Minister, Authority and Garda Commissioner

Setting of priorities for policing services and security services

18. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following sections for section 20:

“Setting of priorities by Authority for policing services

20. (1) The Authority shall, in accordance with this section and with the approval of the Minister—

(a) determine, and from time to time revise, priorities for the Garda Síochána in performing its functions relating to policing services, and

(b) establish, and from time to time revise, levels of performance (‘performance targets’) to be aimed at in seeking to achieve the objective of each priority referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) The Authority shall consult with the Garda Commissioner before determining or revising priorities or establishing or revising performance targets under this section.

(3) Where the Minister approves the determination or revision of priorities or the establishment or revision of performance targets, as the case may be, he or she shall convey that approval in writing.

(4) As soon as practicable after the determination or revision of priorities and the establishment or revision of performance targets, the Authority shall supply the Minister and the Garda Commissioner with a copy of the determined priorities, the established performance targets and any revisions to those priorities or performance targets.

(5) As soon as practicable after the Minister receives a copy of the determined priorities, the established performance targets or any revisions to those priorities or performance targets under subsection (4), the Minister shall cause a copy of them to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(6) The Garda Commissioner shall—

(a) inform the Authority of the measures taken to achieve the objectives of the priorities determined and performance targets established under this section and of the outcome of those measures, and

(b) supply that information within the time specified by the Authority or, if no such time is specified, in the annual report submitted to the Authority under section 46.

Setting of priorities by Minister for security services

20A. (1) The Minister may—

(a) determine, and from time to time revise, priorities for the Garda Síochána in performing its functions relating to security services, and

(b) establish, and from time to time revise, levels of performance (‘performance targets’) to be aimed at in seeking to achieve the objective of each priority referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) The Minister shall—

(a) consult with the Garda Commissioner before determining or revising priorities or establishing or revising performance targets, and

(b) supply the Garda Commissioner with a copy of the determined priorities, the established performance targets and any revisions to those priorities or performance targets.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), as soon as practicable after the determination or revision of priorities and the establishment or revision of performance targets, the Minister shall cause a copy of the priorities or performance targets or revisions thereto, as the case may be, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(4) The Minister may exclude from the copy of the priorities or performance targets or revisions thereto, as the case may be, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas any matter that, in his or her opinion—

(a) would be prejudicial to the interests of national security, or

(b) might facilitate the commission of an offence, prejudice a criminal investigation or jeopardise the safety of any person.

(5) The Garda Commissioner shall—

(a) inform the Minister of the measures taken to achieve the objectives of the priorities determined and performance targets established under this section and of the outcome of those measures, and

(b) supply that information within the time specified by the Minister.”.